Process
Materials
As material I use MDF panels, which I cut to size, and acrylic paint, which I apply with a skewer. Since 2023 I also use a silicone brush and since August 2024 I use a wooden brush.
- MDF-sheets, cut to size
- Acrylic paint
- Brushes: skewer, silicone brush, wooden brush
- Tracing paper, to apply maps to the MDF
Build-up
I start by picking out parts I want in the painting. I usually draw something geographical first, such as maps of cities or outlines of islands. I also try to include other drawings. These can be symbols (e.g. Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs), animals drawn with one line or text (e.g. the names of pets). In works that I create of my own accord, I choose what is in the paintings. This can be personalized for commissions.
Concealing
After drawing the parts I want in the painting, I start by hiding the drawings. I do this by extending, connecting or adding lines. Once I'm happy with adding the lines it's a lot harder to see what's hidden in the painting.
Colours
I use six colors for each painting. I choose these colors myself, or I let a group of people choose the colors. While painting, I ensure that a box with a certain color does not border on another box with the same color. This principle is similar to the four-color theorem (Robin Wilson; Four Colors Suffice, Revised Color Edition; 2013). I start painting in a corner with all the colors so that I can estimate the effect and how the colors look next to each other. I then choose one color and paint it all over before moving on to the next color.
Finishing
Once all areas are colored, I put the name, year, time used painting and initials on the back.
Then I put a layer of varnish over it. A glow-in-the-dark layer can also be placed underneath.
Some of my paintings also have custom frames, courtesy of Bartholomestudio (https://bartholome.nl/).